WIZARDS WAIVE BLATCHE

July 16, 2012

Team Designates Forward as Amnesty Player

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has waived forward Andray Blatche and has designated him as the team's amnesty player. Under the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement, the amnesty provision allows the Wizards to remove the remainder of Blatche's contract from the team's salary cap.

"Andray did not figure into our future plans, and using the amnesty provision is a mutually beneficial opportunity for us to part ways," said Grunfeld. "We will be able to continue to develop our core group of young players, blend in the solid veterans we have acquired and maintain financial flexibility while Andray will be able to get a fresh start with another team. We wish him the best moving forward."

Blatche averaged 9.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in 409 career games with the Wizards. He was originally acquired as second round selection (49th overall) in the 2005 NBA Draft.